Holiday travel may be heaviest since 2008

Motorists are urged to gas up, have fully-charged cellphones and exercise patience and courtesy as they head out on what is projected to be the highest Labor Day travel volume since 2008.

"We're going to have a lot of company on the roads," said Mary Maguire, Massachusetts spokeswoman for AAA of Southern New England.

About 35 million people across the country will be traveling this Labor Day holiday. That's a 1.3 percent increase over last year. And, significantly less than the 45 million travelers during the Labor Day holiday in 2008.

Ms. Maguire said although the bottom fell out of the economy in 2008, a lot of people already had made and paid for travel plans for Labor Day. And some of the impact of the Great Recession was not felt until 2009.

With the economy showing signs of recovery, people have a little more disposable income this year. And Americans are willing to use a credit card to finance their vacation, she said.

Lower gas prices have factored in to the decision of about 30 million, or 86 percent, of this year's Labor Day travelers choosing to drive. The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Massachusetts is about $3.45, which is a penny higher than the national average, and 14 cents lower than last Labor Day.

"The fact that gas prices are trending downward makes travelers feel more empowered to launch a getaway," Ms. Maguire said. "And, historically, we have found in our research when Labor Day weekend begins in August, Americans show a higher tendency to travel."

She said many people began their holiday on Thursday.

Sue and Tom Zucker-Scharff of Westchester, New York, stopped at the Mass Pike service plaza in Charlton Thursday afternoon, on their way from Standish, Maine, to spend the holiday in the Berkshires.

Mrs. Zucker-Scharff, an adjunct college professor, said after teaching two sessions this summer, she wanted to make the most of the little time she has before classes resume. Like several travelers at the service plaza, the Zucker-Scharffs bought fresh-picked peaches and apples that owners of Cheney Orchards in Brimfield were selling.

"So far, the traffic has been pretty good," she said, before adding with a wide grin: "We had to stop here for the peaches. Let me tell you ... like dripping juicy. Amazing."

The weather is expected to cooperate to help make for an enjoyable last holiday of the summer, although some spotty rain showers and brief thunderstorms can be expected Sunday and Monday.

Kim Buttrick, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said this weekend's temperatures should be near seasonable.

Sunny skies, dry weather and temperatures in the low 70s are expected Friday. Temperatures will drop to the 50s across the region Friday night.

Saturday will remain dry and the temperature will be a degree or two warmer than Friday. Saturday night's temperatures should be in the low- to mid-60s.

"For the remainder of the Labor Day weekend, things get a little tricky," Ms. Buttrick said. "It is expected to get warmer, but there's going to be the chance of showers and thunderstorms on both days … nothing widespread, just a chance on both days."

On Sunday, temperatures will climb into the 80s across southern New England. It will be slightly cooler on the outer Cape and the islands, where it will be in the mid-70s.

It should be dry overnight Sunday with temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees. Monday's temperatures should be in the upper 70s to mid-80s. The outer Cape and islands will see temperatures drop to the low- to mid-70s. Monday night should remain dry with temperatures generally ranging in the 60s.

To help traffic flow smoother, the state Department of Transportation is suspending all road and bridge construction on major roadways from Friday at 10 a.m. through Tuesday at 5 a.m. Free coffee will be served at the 18 service plazas along Interstate 90 and other major state highways from 10 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday.

State police spokesman Lt. Daniel G. Richard urged motorists to refrain from distracted driving, including texting. He stressed that motorists under age 18 are prohibited from having any electronic devices in their hands. Drivers should also obey the law and move over out of the lane adjacent to the break-down lane when it is occupied by police, fire, ambulance or tow vehicles.

Lt. Richard said there will be delays on some roadways coming and going from Cape Cod or northbound to Maine and New Hampshire. "People have to exercise a lot of patience and courtesy on the roads," he said. "And, we ask they prepare accordingly. Gas up and have fully-charged cellphones should they break down so they can reach out for help. Calling 911 on a cellphone comes to the state police. We will dispatch a trooper or call the local police."

Contact Elaine Thompson at elaine.thompson@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @EThompsonTG